HELP WITH PICKING A CAMERA FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

[LucyG]

Hello, I need help with picking a camera. After days of research I narrowed down to 3 cameras : Canon full frame 6D, Canon 80D and Canon Rebel t6s.

I would like to start a photogrpahy busniess in Florida. Obviously, low light conditions are not the case as I would shoot using natural light that here has plenty. I would mainly shoot families and kids.

I read that the body is not as important as the lens you use but I also don't want to buy a mediocre equipment but neither break the bank as I am an amateur. I did a photography course long ago and I read a lot trying to educate myself about the best settings to each situation. I've been also a photo enthusiast most of my life mainly for landscapes. But I still have lots to learn. It is hard to say what my budget Is. I can afford the $999 that cost the first two cameras but I wonder if it is wise for the begginingto spend that much to see if this business will work out. I read Canon 80D is super fast and provide crisp high quality pics. In the other hand I read that full frame is a must for portrait photography but the 6D seems the only point in favor is the fact of being full frame but lacks on many features of the 80D and even the T6.

If I buy one of the more expensive ones I want to not spend too much in the lens but the basic in portrait lens : a 50mm or 85mm prime lens, one for full body and above shoulder shots and one good to capture more environmental portrait photos. If anybody can recommend the lens too I would be so grateful ! I love the photos with a lot of blur at the background.

Anyway, PLEASE, need help : CANON 6D, CANON 80 D or CANON T6 ? Thanks !

[ebiggs1]

Work?  I changed the spelling a bit to suit my needs, I now spell it like this, p-l-a-y.  

"Does this mean we agree?"  It does if you admit the same photo can be made with either format camera if the right lens is selected.  That is my main most point.  Whether you adjust the f-ratio or you move your feet.  The exact same DOF can be possible, actually no matter which camera format you use.  Physical limits of manufacture, of course apply.

Consider a person, new to photography, doesn't own or have any desire to own a FF DSLR.  They have no interest or need to know what 1.6x is.  They simply need to know how their camera operates and functions with their lens(s).

IMHO, crop factor is a term that should have never been created. Especially since 'crop sensor' cameras crop nothing.

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

  It does if you admit the same photo can be made with either format camera if the right lens is selected.  That is my main most point.  Whether you adjust the f-ratio or you move your feet.  The exact same DOF can be possible, actually no matter which camera format you use.  Physical limits of manufacture, of course apply.

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I think your point is the whole point of the debate.  It is not always possible to adjust the f/stop or move further back to get the same shot.  The “physical limits of manufacture” that you cite could be described is the whole point.  

The full frame sensor is going to be more flexible when it comes depth of field.  I do not think many portrait photographers are trying to use a full frame with an aperture setting of f/8 to shoot portraits.

The 6D is currently on a fire sale at the Canon Online Refurbished store, as is the 6D2, and 5D3.

[vander]

My friend uses Canon 80D and it seems working great. His works appear seemless and he became more enthusiastic in photography.

[ebiggs1]

"My friend uses Canon 80D and it seems working great."

Absolutely, don't fall for the inner web hype.

[John_SD]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

The 6D is currently on a fire sale at the Canon Online Refurbished store, as is the 6D2, and 5D3.

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I noticed that too, though most of the camera bodies you mentioned are now sold out. With the inevitible transition to mirrorless picking up steam, they are probably trying to clear out their stock of outdated tech. 

[RobertTheFat]

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@John_SD wrote:

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@Waddizzle wrote:

The 6D is currently on a fire sale at the Canon Online Refurbished store, as is the 6D2, and 5D3.

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I noticed that too, though most of the camera bodies you mentioned are now sold out. With the inevitible transition to mirrorless picking up steam, they are probably trying to clear out their stock of outdated tech. 

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Canon clearly considers the 6D and the 5D3 to be obsolete equipment, so the fact that they're unloading them is no surprise. That the 6D2 is on the list is interesting, though. It suggests that those who might have bought the 6D2 are the specific target of the new full-frame mirrorless camera. And that makes sense. Pros, semi-pros, and even very serious amateurs are unlikely to buy the mirrorless until it has proven itself, while those just escalating to FF may be more open to innovation.

[ebiggs1]

"Pros, semi-pros, and even very serious amateurs are unlikely to buy the mirrorless until it has proven itself, while those just escalating to FF may be more open to innovation."

You bet and why the first truly great or even usable mirrorless is not a 1 series.  A 6 series replacement is where it belongs.

I don't need solutions to problems I don't have.

[Waddizzle]

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@John_SD wrote:

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@Waddizzle wrote:

The 6D is currently on a fire sale at the Canon Online Refurbished store, as is the 6D2, and 5D3.

---

I noticed that too, though most of the camera bodies you mentioned are now sold out. With the inevitible transition to mirrorless picking up steam, they are probably trying to clear out their stock of outdated tech. 

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That was then.  It was graduation season.  I do not expect another round of deep discounts until the holiday season approaches..

[Waddizzle]

“It suggests that those who might have bought the 6D2 are the specific target of the new full-frame mirrorless camera. And that makes sense.”

Sorry, I do not follow the connection.  Too many missing dots to connect with that conclusion.  The 6D2 is more than a full frame 80D.